Which Sentai Heroine is the MOST BAD-ASS???

[Burkion]

Why *ARE* the female Rangers generally getting less capable and badass?

 

[Lynxara]

I wouldn't say they got less capable on the whole, although I do think the swelling toy lines sort of bias the shows against emphasizing the ladies. So you really only get super-strong women in the newer shows when the creative team decides to make that a creative priority for the show. (Kyoryuger is a good example of this-- Amy clearly is what she is because of Sakamoto.)

In Ahim's case, she's a heart-of-the-team character, so her dependence on the others is depicted as positive. Older shows were generally less touchy-feely with the characterization, so there was narrative room for the women to be depicted primarily as heroic ideals who possess extraordinary strength. In Gokaiger, that sort of character would be out of place.

 

[Eldar]

Why *ARE* the female Rangers generally getting less capable and badass?

Women don't buy as much sentai-related merchandise as little kids. It's their own fault. If they wanted a more positive depiction in Sentai, they should buy more merchandise to show that female fans exist.

 

[Lynxara]

Women don't buy as much sentai-related merchandise as little kids. It's their own fault. If they wanted a more positive depiction in Sentai, they should buy more merchandise to show that female fans exist.

Man, Toei and Bandai know. One of the traditional fujoshi warning signs is being a grown woman who's into Sentai and buying/displaying Sentai goods. Bandai just doesn't care to pursue that market more aggressively, at least not outside of Akibaranger.

But that market really has never had anything to do with how women in the show are written, since generally a Sentai season's characterization is totally disconnected from its toy line. I mean, there's no reason for those two things to coincide at all-- I doubt Kyoryu Blue's toys make oyaji gags.

 

[lazycoconut]

I mean, there's no reason for those two things to coincide at all-- I doubt Kyoryu Blue's toys make oyaji gags.

What? There's no Nossan doll with a string for you to pull and he'll make a terrible pun? :bawling:

Sakamoto has absolutely no desire for Amy to be a strong character, he just wants a lot of gratuitous ass/leg shots. I would also guess the change in the writing of Sentai heroines has a lot to do with fanservice and wanting to appeal to male otaku - which is probably also why most of the actresses are now 16/17-year-old girls

 

[kuroihikari]

Sakamoto has absolutely no desire for Amy to be a strong character, he just wants a lot of gratuitous ass/leg shots.

I doubt that. That works with Yoko but not with Amy. Ayuri's best asset is her face.

 

[Lynxara]

Sakamoto has absolutely no desire for Amy to be a strong character, he just wants a lot of gratuitous ass/leg shots.

And you know Sakamoto feels this way how, exactly?

I would also guess the change in the writing of Sentai heroines has a lot to do with fanservice and wanting to appeal to male otaku - which is probably also why most of the actresses are now 16/17-year-old girls

Well, but a lot of the male actors for Sentai fall into that age range, too. I think Toei's interest in appealing to adult geeks of either gender with Sentai, outside of Akibaranger, is just really limited. The production staff may choose to wink-and-nod at adult fans sometimes, but if anything Toei and Bandai probably hold them back from doing it more often.

 

[lazycoconut]

And you know Sakamoto feels this way how, exactly?

It's a fair guess, pretty much all the leading ladies in stuff he directs are "action girls" just so he can film a ton of ass/leg shots. But you're right, maybe I'm being too harsh on him, Sanjo seems to have a more positive view of female strength than does the producer and Sakamoto could be the same way.

I doubt that. That works with Yoko but not with Amy. Ayuri's best asset is her face.

It's just the style he's known for? But I'm not hating on him, he's still a much-praised action director, and I bet a lot of guys would like to be in his place

Well, but a lot of the male actors for Sentai fall into that age range, too. I think Toei's interest in appealing to adult geeks of either gender with Sentai, outside of Akibaranger, is just really limited. The production staff may choose to wink-and-nod at adult fans sometimes, but if anything Toei and Bandai probably hold them back from doing it more often.

That's true ... though I still can't imagine them casting a heroine of Nossan's or Ryuji's age unless she were a Swan/Miyuki figure who isn't a full-time Ranger

 

[UkiyaSeed]

Yeah, and Ahim couldn't even beat an enemy on her own in her melodramatic backstory focus episode.

Well she was quite badass in the episode wherein the Gokaigers though she was kidnapped by Zangyack, but actually, she was "kidnapped" by a guy with a fake pistol.

What? There's no Nossan doll with a string for you to pull and he'll make a terrible pun?

Dang it, I want one. I seriously want one of those.

 

[lazycoconut]

Well she was quite badass in the episode wherein the Gokaigers though she was kidnapped by Zangyack, but actually, she was "kidnapped" by a guy with a fake pistol.

I love Ahim, but I can't help thinking that scene would have turned out very differently if she hadn't known all along that the gun was a toy :sweat:

Dang it, I want one. I seriously want one of those.

You listening, Bandai? GET TO IT.